Missing their top four scorers in Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Los Angeles Lakers turned to Star player and other players to step up. The outcome wasn’t favorable for the team, but James managed to have a standout performance.
The son of LeBron James recorded a career-high 17 points—the first double-digit scoring game of his career—on 7-of-10 shooting, along with five assists, three rebounds, and four turnovers in 30 minutes. However, the Lakers struggled during his time on the court, getting outscored by 36 points in their 118-89 loss.
James’ 17 points tied with fellow rookie Dalton Knecht for the team-high. While it was a milestone game for Bronny, it also highlighted the incredible longevity of his father, who holds an NBA-record streak of 1,280 consecutive double-digit games.
Bronny James has spent much of the season alternating between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. His schedule has allowed him to avoid most G League road games while still playing alongside his father in the NBA. He has also become a fan favorite, with supporters often chanting for him during late-game minutes when the outcome is already decided. His online presence is so strong that even his turnovers get widely shared.
James only gets significant playing time in games like Thursday’s, where the Lakers are severely short-handed. The team was missing LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (ankle), who have been out for several games, as well as Luka Dončić (ankle) and Austin Reaves (ankle), who also sat out. Combined, those four players contribute 84.4 points per game this season.
The Bucks were also without Damian Lillard, but they still had Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the way with 28 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.